Manila

[QUOTE=Econo Tech; 1108849]My 2 cents: They are in business, and if I am to believe the kickbacks they had to fork out for the last couple of harassments they got, it will take them 3 years to recover it. Anyway, MBC does not over-charge, in my opinion, for food and drinks, and those who complain about the price of the food maybe haven't had mid-class meals in Philippines (I said Mid Class- not high end meal.)

After all, I am not a big spender, but spending about half the price of a similar meal for what I pay in Singapore, is not bad in my eyes, though many would beg to differ and insist that the price should be 1/10th. . Well, that's me.

As for monopoly- honestly, they do have competition, in other areas, and if another one comes up within walking distance to MBC, one of them's going to kick the bucket and we will be back to square one. That area can't have space for more than one MBC. And not that they are alone, they do have company. Di ba? Amazonia, G Point. Etc.[/QUOTE]Oops, Sorry Guys.

Ignore my previous post and reply as I had reply to the wrong post. It was meant for a post much earlier about the EDSA complex and not Manila Bay. Tried to edit and cancel the post but was too late and not allow back in.

[QUOTE=Freezone;1109131]So, unfortuately, EDSA is still a stand alone complex with very little to fear from others at this point. Of course back in the good old days before Mayor Lim crackdown and ruin Ermita / Malate it was a whole different story.[/QUOTE]Lim's an old man and can't go on for much longer. With the demise of the caped old hypocrite, we might see a more liberal mayor and then things might begin to change in Ermita. Might even return to how things were in the glory days, god forbid:p.

[QUOTE=Econo Tech;1108849]My 2 cents: They are in business, and if I am to believe the kickbacks they had to fork out for the last couple of harassments they got, it will take them 3 years to recover it. Anyway, MBC does not over-charge, in my opinion, for food and drinks, and those who complain about the price of the food maybe haven't had mid-class meals in Philippines (I said Mid Class- not high end meal.) [/QUOTE]

With years behind them operating unhindered and raking in the geld, they must have had a pot of gold stashed away for just such an eventuality.

On prices we beg to differ. I think that for the standard of comfort they provide, their prices are absolutely extortionate and without the girls they would not last 5 minutes. At least at G-Point there is some sort of atmosphere.

[QUOTE=Cunning Stunt; 1109186]With years behind them operating unhindered and raking in the geld, they must have had a pot of gold stashed away for just such an eventuality.

[/QUOTE]From a source, I found out that the last 'stunt' of the mayor only cost them 10 million peso. Well, did anybody wonder how Mayor Lim- the clean mayor, raised his 150 million for his election campaign? . . Only in the Philippines.

[QUOTE]On prices we beg to differ. I think that for the standard of comfort they provide, their prices are absolutely extortionate and without the girls they would not last 5 minutes. At least at G-Point there is some sort of atmosphere.[/QUOTE]But something is going right for them to attract the girls, unless you can tell me that the women are managed by the management.

[QUOTE=Cunning Stunt; 1109186]Lim's an old man and can't go on for much longer. With the demise of the caped old hypocrite, we might see a more liberal mayor and then things might begin to change in Ermita. Might even return to how things were in the glory days, god forbid.[/QUOTE]Yeah, Mr Hawaian T shirt mayor Lito Atienza (or his son) might run next and they get returned. The dinosaurs (plastic ones) can come out of mothballs and Baywalk will start again. Then 4 years later Lims son will win and MBC will close and Baywalk will close. Filipino politics crosses many generations. Might be the same in 100 years.

By then Estradas great grandson will be in charge and Aroyos great grandaughter will be in opposition.

[QUOTE=Econo Tech;1109202]But something is going right for them to attract the girls, unless you can tell me that the women are managed by the management.[/QUOTE]I would not dream of suggesting such a thing, although I do know that before the closure they did have a ladies dormitory upstairs in which several of the working girls lived. I do not know if it is still in use but I suspect not.

[QUOTE=Freezone; 1109131]The closest known place to EDSA would be the Ms Universe and that is over 15-20min walk, and you can't even walk to G-point, Amazon as its a taxi ride or 12min jeepney ride there.

FZ[/QUOTE]What kind of place is Ms Universe?

[QUOTE=Cunning Stunt; 1108552]Bloody hell, you and Sxxxx will have me in tears, hurting for the poor MBC. Maybe we should have a whip round on ISG for them or perhaps suggest to them that they register themselves as a charity. They could rename themselves St Mongers Home for Bewildered Punters or some such thing.

Despite their overheads and undoubted large kickback payments, I think that the prices they ask for food and drink would more than covers things and I'd wager that their balance sheets are still very healthily in the black. I imagine that their turnover is probably 5-10 times higher than most other bars of equivalent size in the area or indeed, all of Manila. Not bad for a down at heel sports bar in an insalubrious part of town.

Just wish that they had a serious competitor, rather than the virtual monopoly they seem to hold. [/QUOTE]LOL, to each his own. If you have more time then me in Manila or are a Manila resident then I can understand where you are coming from but for me someone that is there few times a year and for a week tops at a time MBC is perfect. On prices I too will disagree with you, I think it is reasonable at last far cheaper then say Burgos, but then you probably hate Burgos too. What can I say I don't mind "overpaying" to save time as for me time is the most precious commodity when in Philippines.

[QUOTE=Mc Don;1109573]If you have more time then me in Manila or are a Manila resident ...[/QUOTE]Right on both counts. I like MBC and have met some great girls there but it is slumming it a bit and the lazy option IMHO if you view it as the main chance. Everyone knows that with a little work and application, it is possible to meet much fresher, more attractive girls than you would ever find in MBC. Not that it doesn't have an important spot in the lexicon of Philippine mongering opportunities, just that its way down the list for me.

[QUOTE=Cunning Stunt;1109607]Right on both counts. I like MBC and have met some great girls there but it is slumming it a bit and the lazy option IMHO if you view it as the main chance. Everyone knows that with a little work and application, it is possible to meet much fresher, more attractive girls than you would ever find in MBC. Not that it doesn't have an important spot in the lexicon of Philippine mongering opportunities, just that its way down the list for me.[/QUOTE]Far from being the main chance but I sometimes crave the dirty working girls that can only be found there if you know what I mean. Some of the best sex last year was from girls from MBC. Like I said to each his own, I use to love the street action in Singapore before the crackdown in Gaylang, it use to be my favorite place in SEA. It was dirty too but great at the same time. My point was places that provide any mongering options should be supported because once they are gone as the case in Gaylang or ERMITA the they tend to be gone forever. 100 peso is a ridicules amount for anyone here on this forum so no need to be a cheap charlie.

[QUOTE=Mc Don;1109697]100 peso is a ridicules amount for anyone here on this forum so no need to be a cheap charlie.[/QUOTE]You meant, it is a trivial amount to argue about?

[QUOTE=Econo Tech;1109885]You meant, it is a trivial amount to argue about?[/QUOTE]Yep. Should be paid by anyone here without giving much thought.

[QUOTE=Econo Tech;1109885]You meant, it is a trivial amount to argue about?[/QUOTE]When you consider how much you pay for drinks, and the girls at MBC or elsewhere, P100 certainly is trivial.

Then if you want to take into account how much you spend on airfares, hotels, taxis, restaurants on a 3 week vacation it is absolutely peanuts, especially when you get something in return for your P100.

Generosity. I rarely if ever meet a Cheap Charlie who is smiling. He is forever searching for the next time he can avoid spending a pesos here and there. Obviously they get their rocks off doing that. Leave them to it. I enjoy being generous without being a fool with my money. You reap what you sow. I don't see Cheap Charlies reaping much joy, LOL.

I am not accusing any specific person of being a Cheap Charlie, just think posting about P100 multiple times is futile. My last post on this one. I find Cheap Charlies are mean spirited people. What a waste of time on this planet, being mean spirited. Even so, we need them, otherwise how could I be generous, LOL.

[QUOTE=Sxxxx; 1110100]When you consider how much you pay for drinks, and the girls at MBC or elsewhere, P100 certainly is trivial.[/QUOTE]I was trying to clarify Mc Don. Anyway, for me, while the 100 peso is nothing to weep about, if a waitress comes and ask me to buy a chocolate, I do it. Maybe once or twice and then draw the line. And so far, I never seen a waitress in MBC who get offended when you say "NO" unlike some other bars.

Hell, for me, the 100 peso is not even 1/3rd the price of a pack of smokes I buy here in Singapore. Not worth to even think of it.

Oh, but spending P100 multiple times unnecessarily can add up to a big chunk of change.

[QUOTE=Sxxxx;1110100]just think posting about P100 multiple times is futile. My last post on this one. I find Cheap Charlies are mean spirited people. What a waste of time on this planet, being mean spirited. Even so, we need them, otherwise how could I be generous, LOL.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Econo Tech; 1110227]I was trying to clarify Mc Don. Anyway, for me, while the 100 peso is nothing to weep about, if a waitress comes and ask me to buy a chocolate, I do it. Maybe once or twice and then draw the line. And so far, I never seen a waitress in MBC who get offended when you say "NO" unlike some other bars.

Hell, for me, the 100 peso is not even 1/3rd the price of a pack of smokes I buy here in Singapore. Not worth to even think of it.[/QUOTE]Understand now. Don't get me wrong, I do not throw my money around trying to impress. My tip is normally P20 and I do not give something for nothing. So, I would be a Cheap Charlie, compared to say a Korean, I suppose. Maybe two or three times in a trip I give a P100 tip. Yeh, the MBC waitresses are good natured and fun loving. Usually they smile if you knock back their requests. They know they are just trying luck.

If management asks you to pay to enter upstairs MBC, you have the choice of paying and entering or not paying and not entering. That was the point I was trying to get across in my original post. Nothing about tipping, which is up to every individual. Cheap Charlies I have known, never ever tip, even 1 centavo, and at times, even try to exit without paying anything at all. Have witnessed that happening with a Cheap Charlie at my table. Rest of us had to pay his extensive drinks bill on his behalf. He is now on our Wanted list. Those guys make me look good. Promise, I will not be tempted to talk about this subject again, LOL.